Hopes remain high for £18mtennis and leisure centre project
A LONG-RUNNING project to redevelop the Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre at Norton is edging towards the finishing line.
The latest delay surrounds the details of the financial involvement of the proposed operator, Win Tennis, which has teamed up with the council.
"Because of the economic situation the partner is taking more time to finalise the funding and they are close to doing that," said the council's director of culture, Paul Billington. "We are still hopeful we'll have a deal." Already the authority has agreed a 125-year lease so that Win Tennis can press ahead with its strategy of creating a "world class tennis centre of excellence" alongside private and community leisure facilities.
Planning permission was granted 15 months ago for an 18m development including a private members' leisure club with fitness studios, a pool and spas and, crucially from the council's perspective, a new swimming pool, sports hall and tennis courts for public use.
Mr Billington said: "It has always been an incredibly busy facility but particularly the pool and the sports hall need investment."
Latest details of the proposed deal with Win Tennis, which runs the tennis academy at Sport England's Bisham Abbey complex, are due to be reported to the council by the spring.
The company stepped in after a partnership with another leisure operator fell through.
BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.
MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -2 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
